Andrew McConnell made a splash by claiming victory in the main event of the Round the Sound swim.

Competing among a strong field of 57 swimmers in the long-distance event, the 10k swim from Villa Monticello to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, the 42-year-old was first across the finish line in a time of 2hr 34min 7secs, just 21 seconds ahead of David Fine.

The battle for the final spot on the podium was close fought with Nina Coetzer (2:35:17) pipping David Figur (2:35:27) in the closing ten metres,to claim third place as well as being the first female finisher.

While the conditions still proved challenging, McConnell felt they could have been a lot worse in the wake of Tropical Storm Philippe.

“It was certainly calmer than it may have been and luckily we had a beautiful day for the race,” said the Bermuda resident, who finished third in last year’s event.

“However, it was still challenging depending on the direction you were going. The first two kilometres felt great, but in the second there was a strong current and a lot of jellyfish.

“We had a group of around five of us who stuck together until the final kilometre or so and then I managed to pull away.

“Every time I compete I want to win and so it feels great to have managed to claim victory overall.”

Fine, who travelled to the island from Connecticut, United States, was delighted with his efforts after making the step up from competing in the 6k race last year.

“I did the 6K race before and this was my first time doing the 10k distance,” he said. “I didn’t feel too bad doing that extra distance.

“After I hit the 6K mark I thought to myself I can do this. I still felt good at the end and so I’m really pleased.”

In stark contrast, it proved a difficult outing for Coetzer, who had to battle against sea sickness throughout the race.

“It was really tough for me this year,” she said. “I felt really good over the first two kilometres or so and then it was really rough with a lot of waves.

“I was swallowing quite a lot of salt water at that point and so I was feeling really seasick, which was pretty tough. I have never been that sea sick in an open water race, so it was definitely worse than I expected.

“However, thankfully we were swimming in a pack and so that helped motivate me to keep going. With four kilometres to go I tried to pick up the pace and from there it was about trying to keep up with the two up front.

“I was hoping for a top-three placing and so I’m pleased to have managed that.”

The 6k Swim from Shark Hole Dock to the Aquarium produced a sensational victory for one of the younger competitors among the field with 14-year-old Noah Maranzana taking the honours in a time of 1:36:1.

Drew Nemetz was a close second, finishing just 15 seconds adrift of Maranzana, with Ashley Whitney (1:37:1) rounding out the top three places as the first female finisher.

There was also delight for another of the teenage competitors, with Katherine Wheddon triumphing in the 4K event, which started from the Bayside Lane dock, near Trinity Church.

Wheddon, 14, put in a dominant display to finish in 1:05:23, more than two minutes clear of her nearest rival Kevin Insley (1:07:29), with Graham Smith completing the podium places.

An impressive field of 98 swimmers took part in the 2K swim, which started from Radnor Estate Road dock, with 14-year-old Connor Hupman prevailing in a winning time of 26:41, ahead of Adam Prunty (27:06) and Jackson Langley (27:39).

The 800m sprint swim provided the closest finish of the day as Daria Desmond (11:23) pipped Ashley Park (11:31) to victory by eight seconds, with Veronica Hibben (11:39) a further eight seconds adrift in third.